Schnucks, Logli and Hilander grocery stores are recalling watermelons produced by Chamberlain Farms, the Owensville, Indiana farm linked to a cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 204 people in 22 states. The recalled products have been removed from all locations as of September 7. No illnesses have been reported in association with the watermelons under recall.
Schnucks operates stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Except for stores in Indiana, the recalled watermelons have a sticker that reads “Indian Hills – Product of USA.” Consumers who have purchased these melons should not eat them as they may be contaminated with Salmonella. In Indiana, where the product is delivered to stores directly from the farm, the melons have no sticker. Customers who have recently purchased a watermelon from a Schnucks store can return it for a full refund.
In August, Chamberlain Farms was identified as the producer of cantaloupe melons that are the source of the 22-state Salmonella outbreak that has hospitalized 78 of 204 victims and proved fatal for two. The farm issued a recall for the cantaloupes and suspended cantaloupe sales for the season.
The number of victims by state is as follows: Alabama (13), Arkansas (5), California (2), Florida (1), Georgia (4), Illinois (24), Indiana (22), Iowa (8), Kentucky (63), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (6), Minnesota (5), Mississippi (5), Missouri (13), New Jersey (2), North Carolina (5), Ohio (5), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (8), Texas (2), and Wisconsin (4).
Symptoms of food poisoning from Salmonella include abdominal cramps and severe diarrhea which can sometimes be bloody. These symptoms usually set in 6 to 72 hours after exposure and last up to a week. Consumers who develop these symptoms after eating cantaloupe or watermelon should see a health care provider.
